Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 9, 2020

“Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 2:12-17.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians+2&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.  For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;  to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life.  And who is adequate for these things?  For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.”  2 Corinthians 2:14-17.

——————-

Who is adequate to triumph?

Who is adequate to manifest the knowledge of Christ in every place?

Who is adequate to accept the responsibility, so to speak in the figurative language of today’s Scripture, that some who smell us will perish and some who smell us with be saved?

Other doctrine which trusts man and man’s wisdom and man alleged free-will and man’s works?

Or Reformed Doctrine which trusts God and God’s will and God’s work?

“Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?”  Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”  John 6:28-29.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

“I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.”  1 Corinthians 2:3-5.

“What then is Apollos?  And what is Paul?  Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one.  I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.  So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.”  1 Corinthians 3:5-7.

“For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.”  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”  Romans 9:15-16.

“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken;  truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.”  Isaiah 46:9-11.

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled THIRD AND FOURTH HEADS OF DOCTRINE Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the Manner Thereof.

Article 11.  But when God accomplishes his good pleasure in the elect, or works in them true conversion, he not only causes the gospel to be externally preached to them, and powerfully illumines their minds by his Holy Spirit, that they may rightly understand and discern the things of the Spirit of God;  but by the efficacy of the same regenerating Spirit, pervades the inmost recesses of the man;  he opens the closed, and softens the hardened heart, and circumcises that which was uncircumcised, infuses new qualities into the will, which though heretofore dead, he quickens;  from being evil, disobedient and refractory, he renders it good, obedient, and pliable;  actuates and strengthens it, that like a good tree, it may bring forth the fruits of good actions.

Article 12.  And this is the regeneration so highly celebrated in Scripture, and denominated a new creation:  a resurrection from the dead, a making alive, which God works in us without our aid.  But this is in no wise effected merely by the external preaching of the gospel, by moral suasion, or such a mode of operation, that after God has performed his part, it still remains in the power of man to be regenerated or not, to be converted, or to continue unconverted;  but it is evidently a supernatural work, most powerful, and at the same time most delightful, astonishing, mysterious, and ineffable;  not inferior in efficacy to creation, or the resurrection from the dead, as the Scripture inspired by the author of this work declares;  so that all in whose heart God works in this marvelous manner, are certainly, infallibly, and effectually regenerated, and do actually believe.  –  Whereupon the will thus renewed, is not only actuated and influenced by God, but in consequence of this influence, becomes itself active.  Wherefore also, man is himself rightly said to believe and repent, by virtue of that grace received.

“… In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, ”  Ephesians 1:10-11.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  and these whom He predestined, He also called;  and these whom He called, He also justified;  and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”  Romans 8:28-30.

“Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit;  for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”  2 Corinthians 3:5-6.

Comments Off on “Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 8, 2020

“Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.” – “restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness” – “so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 2:5-11.

“But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not to me, but in some degree—in order not to say too much—to all of you.  Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.  Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.  For to this end also I wrote, so that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things.  But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also;  for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ, so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.”  2 Corinthians 2:5-11.

—————-

“Be on your guard!  If your brother sins, rebuke him;  and if he repents, forgive him.  And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”  Luke 17:3-4.

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”  Ephesians 4:31-32.

“Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness;  each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.  Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”  Galatians 6:1-2.

“Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.”  Hebrews 12:12-13.

“But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also;  for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ, so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.”  Verses 10-11.

“Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.  See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God;  that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;”  Hebrews 12:14-15.

“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.”  Matthew 6:14-15.

Comments Off on “Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.” – “restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness” – “so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: , , ,

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 7, 2020

“All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 1:23 to 2 Corinthians 2:4.

“But I call God as witness to my soul, that to spare you I did not come again to Corinth.  Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy;  for in your faith you are standing firm.

But I determined this for my own sake, that I would not come to you in sorrow again.  For if I cause you sorrow, who then makes me glad but the one whom I made sorrowful?  This is the very thing I wrote you, so that when I came, I would not have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice;  having confidence in you all that my joy would be the joy of you all.  For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears;  not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.”  2 Corinthians 1:23 to 2 Corinthians 2:4.

—————

Paul recognized that his letters to the church at Corinth could be received by some who would think that Paul only intended to “pick on them”, shame them, and cause them sorrow.

For example, he earlier wrote to the church at Corinth to help them understand his true intention.

“I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.  For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.  Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.  For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.”  1 Corinthians 4:14-17.

In today’s Scripture, Paul wrote:  “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears;  not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.”  Verse 4.

Naturally, we want friends to praise us.  But, it is better for us to receive “constructive criticism” from a faithful friend, than to receive empty praise that is not deserved and that leads us to continue the bad behavior to our harm.

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.”  Proverbs 27:6.

When a father performs his duty to discipline his child, the action itself is not a joyful one for the father to perform nor for the child to receive, but the father does it because he knows that it is for the good of his child.

“It is for discipline that you endure;  God deals with you as with sons;  for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?  But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.  Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them;  shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?  For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.  All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful;  yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”  Hebrews 12:7-11.

“Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.  For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth.  I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.”  3 John 1:2-4.

Comments Off on “All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: , , , ,

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 6, 2020

“For as many as are the promises of God, in Him (Christ) they are yes”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 1:15-22.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians+1&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“For as many as are the promises of God, in Him (Christ) they are yes;  therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.  Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.”  1 Corinthians 1:20-22.

——————

What does it mean:  “For as many as are the promises of God, in Him (Christ) they are yes”?

Consider the following verses.

“Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed.  He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.”  Galatians 3:16.

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:32.

“He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.  …”  Ephesians 1:9-10.

“For by Him (Christ) all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.  He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.  He is also head of the body, the church;  and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.  For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross;  through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”  Colossians 1:16-20.

What does it mean:  “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God”?

Consider the following verses.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

What does it mean:  “God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge”?  

Consider the following verses.

“In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.”  Ephesians 1:13-14.

“For indeed while we are in this tent (our earthly mortal body), we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life.  Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge (of receiving a spiritual and heavenly immortal body).”  2 Corinthians 5:4-5.

Comments Off on “For as many as are the promises of God, in Him (Christ) they are yes”

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 5, 2020

“in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 1:12-14.

“For our proud confidence is this:  the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.  For we write nothing else to you than what you read and understand, and I hope you will understand until the end;  just as you also partially did understand us, that we are your reason to be proud as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.”  1 Corinthians 1:12-14.

——————

Paul said the following about what some of the Corinthians said about himself.  “For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.”  Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.”  2 Corinthians 10:10-11.

“But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”  1 Timothy 1:5.

In today’s Scripture, Paul said:  “… in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world …”  Verse 12.

We should be sincere as Paul:  “we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.”  But, it is too tempting and too easy to deceive others.

We should be holy as Paul.  It is easy to be holy when writing, but when we leave the desk, it is too tempting and too easy to get encumbered and entangled in sin.

In summary, we should be a good example like Paul.  “For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.  You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers;  just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”  1 Thessalonians 2:9-12.

“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;  having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”  Philippians 1:9-11.

The following Scriptures fill out our desires. 

“Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.”  Hebrews 13:18.

“having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.  In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.”  Acts 24:15-16.

But, even though we believe “there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked” and also try to “do my best”, we need help.  

Despite all the good reasons to be sincere, holy, and otherwise conduct ourselves honorably in all things, Paul recognized in today’s Scripture that we needed more than “fleshly wisdom”, we need help.  We need God and “the grace of God”.

“I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”  1 Corinthians 1:4-9.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  …”  Ephesians 1:3-4.

“… Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing;  but that she would be holy and blameless.”  Ephesians 5:25-27.

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever.  Amen.”  Jude 1:24-25.

Comments Off on “in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world”

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 4, 2020

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 1:8-11.

“For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;  indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead;  who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope.  And He will yet deliver us, you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.”  2 Corinthians 1:8-11.

—————–

“And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake;  for when I am weak, then I am strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;  we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;  perplexed, but not despairing;  persecuted, but not forsaken;  struck down, but not destroyed;  always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.  For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.  So death works in us, but life in you.

But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE,” we also believe, therefore we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you.  For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.  For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen;  for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”  2 Corinthians 4:7-18.

“And what more shall I say?  For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.  Women received back their dead by resurrection;  and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection;  and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment.  They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword;  they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.

And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.”  Hebrews 11:32-40.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  For by it the men of old gained approval.”  Hebrews 11:1-2.

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”  Hebrews 11:6.

“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;  but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.  But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:26-30.

Comments Off on “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: , , , ,

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 3, 2020

“God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction” – “I, even I, am He who comforts you.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 1:1-7.

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the church of God which is at Corinth with all the saints who are throughout Achaia:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.  But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation;  or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer;  and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.”  2 Corinthians 1:1-7.

—————-

“This is my comfort in my affliction,
That Your word has revived me.”  Psalm 119:50.

“Then you will say on that day,
“I will give thanks to You, O LORD;
For although You were angry with me,
Your anger is turned away,
And You comfort me.
2 “Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid;
For the LORD God is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.”  Isaiah 12:1-2.

No one likes to go though sufferings, but God comforts us and gives us blessings.  Here are some of the blessings.  

First, God gives us sufficient grace to patiently endure the sufferings and otherwise also exhibits His power within us.  “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”  2 Corinthians 12:9.

Second, our tribulation builds perseverance, proven character, and hope within us.  “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;  and perseverance, proven character;  and proven character, hope;  and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”  Romans 5:3-5.

Third, our sufferings helps us to understand others and to be empathetic to their sufferings, and our sufferings helps us to comfort and encourage others who are going through the same sufferings.  Verse 6.

Fourth, our sufferings lead us to salvation.  “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”  Romans 8:16-17.  “For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope;  for who hopes for what he already sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”  Romans 8:24-25.

Fifth, God turns our sufferings into joy.  “Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice;  you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy.  Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come;  but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world.  Therefore you too have grief now;  but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.”  John 16:20-22.  “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”  Romans 8:18.

“Shout for joy, O heavens!  And rejoice, O earth!
Break forth into joyful shouting, O mountains!
For the LORD has comforted His people
And will have compassion on His afflicted.”  Isaiah 49:13.

“Indeed, the LORD will comfort Zion;
He will comfort all her waste places.
And her wilderness He will make like Eden,
And her desert like the garden of the LORD;
Joy and gladness will be found in her,
Thanksgiving and sound of a melody.”  Isaiah 51:3.

“I, even I, am He who comforts you.  …”  Isaiah 51:12.

“10 “Be joyful with Jerusalem and rejoice for her, all you who love her;
Be exceedingly glad with her, all you who mourn over her,
11 That you may nurse and be satisfied with her comforting breasts,
That you may suck and be delighted with her bountiful bosom.”
12 For thus says the LORD, “Behold, I extend peace to her like a river,
And the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream;
And you will be nursed, you will be carried on the hip and fondled on the knees.
13 “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you;
And you will be comforted in Jerusalem.”
14 Then you will see this, and your heart will be glad,
And your bones will flourish like the new grass;
And the hand of the LORD will be made known to His servants,
But He will be indignant toward His enemies.”  Isaiah 66:10-14.

“13 “Then the virgin will rejoice in the dance,
And the young men and the old, together,
For I will turn their mourning into joy
And will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow.
14 “I will fill the soul of the priests with abundance,
And My people will be satisfied with My goodness,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 31:10-14.

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.”  2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.

Comments Off on “God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction” – “I, even I, am He who comforts you.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: ,

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 2, 2020

“to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God”

Today’s devotion is a special devotion based on the calls for justice.  Some call for justice based on the death of George Floyd, and others call for justice based on the riots, burning, and looting.

“He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?  Micah 6:8.

“Hate evil, love good,
And establish justice in the gate!
Perhaps the LORD God of hosts
May be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.”  Amos 5:15.

—————

“Cry loudly, do not hold back;
Raise your voice like a trumpet,
And declare to My people their transgression
And to the house of Jacob their sins.
2 “Yet they seek Me day by day and delight to know My ways,
As a nation that has done righteousness
And has not forsaken the ordinance of their God.
They ask Me for just decisions,
They delight in the nearness of God.
3 ‘Why have we fasted and You do not see?
Why have we humbled ourselves and You do not notice?’
Behold, on the day of your fast you find your desire,
And drive hard all your workers.
4 “Behold, you fast for contention and strife and to strike with a wicked fist.
You do not fast like you do today to make your voice heard on high.
5 “Is it a fast like this which I choose, a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it for bowing one’s head like a reed
And for spreading out sackcloth and ashes as a bed?
Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to the LORD?
6 “Is this not the fast which I choose,
To loosen the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the bands of the yoke,
And to let the oppressed go free
And break every yoke?”  Isaiah 58:1-6.

God has told us what is good, but we are proud and have exalted man.

We need to be humbled;  we need to be reminded of the nature of man.

“9 What then?  Are we better than they?  Not at all;  for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin;  10 as it is written,

“There is none righteous, not even one;
11 There is none who understands,
There is none who seeks for God;
12 All have turned aside, together they have become useless;
There is none who does good,
There is not even one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave,
With their tongues they keep deceiving,”
“The poison of asps is under their lips”;
14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness”;
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood,
16 Destruction and misery are in their paths,
17 And the path of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”  Romans 3:9-18.

“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.  Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.”  Ephesians 2:1-3.

Reformed Doctrine summarizes these Scriptures and other similar Scriptures of man’s natural condition as “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

And yet, so many in our society think that man is good and seem perplexed about the racism and all other kinds of hatred of man against man.  Some call for justice based on the death of George Floyd, and others call for justice based on the riots, burning, and looting.  So many in our society only want justice that serves themselves and their own interests whether it be their person or their property.  So many in society only cry to man for justice as if man wanted justice for all and as if man could provide justice for all.

But, there is hope!

“Seek the LORD,
All you humble of the earth
Who have carried out His ordinances;
Seek righteousness, seek humility.
Perhaps you will be hidden
In the day of the Lord’s anger.”  Zephaniah 2:3.

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  Matthew 6:33.

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.

“The Rock!  His work is perfect,
For all His ways are just;
A God of faithfulness and without injustice,
Righteous and upright is He.”  Deuteronomy 32:4.

“For the LORD loves justice
And does not forsake His godly ones;
They are preserved forever,
But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.”  Psalm 37:28.

We may be like the following Psalmist who despaired until he came to his senses and recognized the sovereignty of God.

“12 Behold, these are the wicked;
And always at ease, they have increased in wealth.
13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure
And washed my hands in innocence;
14 For I have been stricken all day long
And chastened every morning.

15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
Behold, I would have betrayed the generation of Your children.
16 When I pondered to understand this,
It was troublesome in my sight
17 Until I came into the sanctuary of God;
Then I perceived their end.
18 Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
19 How they are destroyed in a moment!
They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!
20 Like a dream when one awakes,
O Lord, when aroused, You will despise their form.

21 When my heart was embittered
And I was pierced within,
22 Then I was senseless and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You have taken hold of my right hand.
24 With Your counsel You will guide me,
And afterward receive me to glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but You?
And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 For, behold, those who are far from You will perish;
You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You.
28 But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
That I may tell of all Your works.”  Psalm 73:12-28.

“4 The LORD is in His holy temple;  the LORD’S throne is in heaven;
His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.
5 The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked,
And the one who loves violence His soul hates.
6 Upon the wicked He will rain snares;
Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup.
7 For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness;
The upright will behold His face.”  Psalm 11:4-7.

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.  Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God;  and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.  For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil.  Do you want to have no fear of authority?  Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;  for it is a minister of God to you for good.  But if you do what is evil, be afraid;  for it does not bear the sword for nothing;  for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.”  Romans 13:1-4.

“Now He (Jesus) was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man.  There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’  For a while he was unwilling;  but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’”  And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge *said;  now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?  I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly.  However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”  Luke 18:1-8.

“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken;  truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.”  Isaiah 46:9-11.

We are instruments of God to exercise lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth in all that we do.  

“Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness;  but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.”  Romans 6:11-13.

God will specifically guide you and work in you as to what you should do in order to “do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God”.  Micah 6:8.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.

“6 For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
8 Guarding the paths of justice,
And He preserves the way of His godly ones.
9 Then you will discern righteousness and justice
And equity and every good course.”  Proverbs 2:6-9.

“The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
And his tongue speaks justice.”  Psalm 37:30.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.  Be of the same mind toward one another;  do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly.  Do not be wise in your own estimation.  Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.  Respect what is right in the sight of all men.  If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”  Romans 12:15-18.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6.

And, God can even use the wicked for His purpose.

“For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH.”  Romans 9:17.

“4 The LORD has made everything for its own purpose,
Even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD;
Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.”  Proverbs 16:4-5.

God demonstrates His justice by shattering His enemies and sending them to hell.

“6 “Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power,
Your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy.
7 “And in the greatness of Your excellence You overthrow those who rise up against You;
You send forth Your burning anger, and it consumes them as chaff.”  Exodus 15:6-7.

“But I will warn you whom to fear:  fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell;  yes, I tell you, fear Him!”  Luke 12:5.

“10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the LORD with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”  Psalm 2:10-12.

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.”  Psalm 103:19.

“The LORD reigns, let the peoples tremble;
He is enthroned above the cherubim, let the earth shake!
2 The LORD is great in Zion,
And He is exalted above all the peoples.
3 Let them praise Your great and awesome name;
Holy is He.
4 The strength of the King loves justice;
You have established equity;
You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Exalt the LORD our God
And worship at His footstool;
Holy is He.”  Psalm 99:1-5.

Comments Off on “to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: , , ,

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 1, 2020

“But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 16:15-24.

“Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints), that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors.  I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have supplied what was lacking on your part.  For they have refreshed my spirit and yours.  Therefore acknowledge such men.

The churches of Asia greet you.  Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.  All the brethren greet you.  Greet one another with a holy kiss.

The greeting is in my own hand—Paul.  If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed.  Maranatha.  The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.  My love be with you all in Christ Jesus.  Amen.”  1 Corinthians 16:15-24.

——————-

“But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work.  Live in peace with one another.”  1 Thessalonians 5:12-13.

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account.  Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.  And I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever.  Amen.”  Hebrews 13:17-21.

Comments Off on “But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction”

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 31, 2020

“Let all that you do be done in love.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 16:10-14.

“Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without cause to be afraid, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I also am.  So let no one despise him.  But send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me;  for I expect him with the brethren.

But concerning Apollos our brother, I encouraged him greatly to come to you with the brethren;  and it was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has opportunity.

Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.  Let all that you do be done in love.”  1 Corinthians 16:10-14.

————————-

In today’s Scripture, we see examples of love.

But, instead of relying on our own images of love, let us first remember how Scripture defines love.

“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous;  love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly;  it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”  1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

“There is no fear in love;  but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.”  1 John 4:18.

In verse 10, when we love, then we will not fear.  We will be like Timothy “without cause to be afraid” for we are doing the Lord’s work.

In verse 11, when we love, then we will not be jealous of others and will not despise others.  We will allow others to go their way in peace.

In verse 12, when we love, then we will be patient.  Even though we may want something to occur (like some wanted Apollos to visit them), we will patiently wait for the opportunity for it to occur.

In verse 13, when we love, then we will be strong and stand firm in the faith.  We will rejoice in the truth.  We will bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, and endure all things.

“Love never fails;  …”  1 Corinthians 13:8.

Comments Off on “Let all that you do be done in love.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tags:

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »

Categories